Black-throated Hermit
Phaethornis atrimentalis
The Black-throated Hermit (Phaethornis atrimentalis) is a rare hummingbird found in 3 countries, weighing about 3 g. The black-throated hermit is a species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae.
About the Black-throated Hermit
The black-throated hermit is a species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The black-chinned hermit is about 9 to 10 cm (3.5 to 3.9 in) long, with P. a. riojae being larger than the nominate. The species has generally greenish upperparts with a reddish rump and a white-tipped dark tail. The throat is dark brown and the rest of the underparts cinnamon red but for whitish undertail coverts. Males often have a dark band between the throat and breast. Females are similar to males but their throat is lighter and they generally have longer wings. Voice: The black-throated hermit's song is "a high-pitched phrase repeated incessantly without pauses between phrases...e.g. 'tsee ... tsee ... tsee ... tsee .. tseeetew'." Its call is "a high-pitched 'pseep!'" that is usually given in flight.
Where it lives
When to see it
The Black-throated Hermit can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Black-throated Hermit?
- The black-chinned hermit is about 9 to 10 cm (3.5 to 3.9 in) long, with P. a. riojae being larger than the nominate. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Black-throated Hermit?
- The Black-throated Hermit is a tiny sized bird weighing about 3 g.
- Where can you see a Black-throated Hermit?
- The Black-throated Hermit occurs in 3 countries, including Peru, Ecuador and Colombia.
- What birds look similar to a Black-throated Hermit?
- The Black-throated Hermit is most easily confused with the Dusky-throated Hermit, the Little Hermit and the Koepcke's Hermit.
- Is the Black-throated Hermit endangered?
- The Black-throated Hermit is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Black-throated Hermit for real
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